Introduction

Skeptics have claimed that Old Testament writers exaggerated or made up the
existence of the Hebrew kingdoms described in the Old Testament, including
kings David and Solomon. However, recent archeological evidence has shown that
the written Hebrew language was in existence by the 10th
century B.C. The archaeological site of Khirbet Qeiyafa is the location of a massively
fortified city of megalithic stones 6-9 feet tall.1 In 2008, two city gates
were discovered, which was very unusual for cities of that time (which
usually had only one gate). This unusual characteristic clearly identified
the city as being the biblical Sha‛ărayim, which has the meaning of "double gate."2
The city is mentioned three times in the Old Testament (Joshua 15:36, 1
Samuel 17:52 and 1 Chronicles 4:31).3 The
existence of written Hebrew commandments at Khirbet Qeiyafa suggested that the
peoples at the site were following the commands found in the Old Testament
scriptures. Professor Yosef Garfinkel has now confirmed through archeological
excavation that at least some of the Old Testament commandments were being
followed at Khirbet Qeiyafa by the 10th century B.C. The city was
violently destroyed in 980 B.C. (according to 14C dating).

Biblical commands

Located 30 km. southwest of Jerusalem in the valley of Elah, Khirbet Qeiyafa
was a heavily fortified city at the time of King David. Numerous religious
and other artifacts were recovered from the site, including several shrines, tools and
pottery. However, the shrines were quite different from those of the
surrounding Philistines and Canaanites, since no images of human beings or
animals were associated with the site. According to the biblical commands, the
Israelites were not to make or worship images of human beings or animals (Exodus 20:4, Leviticus 26:1, Deuteronomy 5:8, 4:15-18, 27:15,
Romans 1:22-25).4 The religious objects at
Khirbet Qeiyafa included
five standing stones (Massebot), two basalt altars, two pottery libation
vessels and two portable shrines.5 The other
commandment that seems to have been followed at Khirbet Qeiyafa involved the
eating of only "clean" animals (Leviticus 11:1-46). Although hundreds of bones
were found at the site, none of them were from pigs (in contrast to
surrounding sites), since those animals were not to be eaten according to the
Old Testament laws.6
According to Garfinkel, "Over the years, thousands of animal bones were found,
including sheep, goats and cattle, but no pigs."5

Conclusion

The archeological site at Khirbet Qeiyafa not only shows that the written Hebrew language was in existence by the 10th
century B.C., but that the Old Testament laws were being practiced at
that time. The finds blow apart the claims that Old Testament was not in
existence until hundreds of years after King David lived. According to Professor Garfinkel, "Thus, various suggestions that completely
deny the biblical tradition regarding King David and argue that he was a
mythological figure, or just a leader of a small tribe, are now shown to be
wrong."5 Once again, archeological evidence
has been found to support claims found in the Old Testament books of the Bible.

In the lowland: Eshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, and Zanoah and En-gannim,
Tappuah and Enam, Jarmuth and Adullam, Socoh and Azekah, and
Shaaraim and Adithaim and Gederah and
Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages. (Joshua 15:33-36)The men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted and pursued the Philistines as
far as the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the slain Philistines lay
along the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath and
Ekron. (1 Samuel 17:52)They lived at Beersheba, Moladah and Hazar-shual, at Bilhah, Ezem, Tolad,
Bethuel, Hormah, Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susim, Beth-biri and
Shaaraim. These were their cities until the
reign of David. (1 Chronicles 4:28-31)

The Israelites were commanded not to make and worship images of humans
or animals:

"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is
in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the
earth." (Exodus 20:4)

'You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for
yourselves an image or a sacred pillar, nor shall you place a figured
stone in your land to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God.'
(Leviticus 26:1)

'You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is
in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the
earth.' (Deuteronomy 5:8)

"So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on
the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, so
that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in
the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of
any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that
flies in the sky, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground,
the likeness of any fish that is in the water below the earth."
(Deuteronomy 4:15-18)

'Cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image, an
abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and
sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, 'Amen.'
(Deuteronomy 27:15)

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of
the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of
birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave
them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies
would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for
a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,
who is blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 1:22-25)

and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split
hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you. 'You shall not eat of
their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.
(Leviticus 11:7-8)

"The pig, because it divides the hoof but does not chew the cud, it
is unclean for you. You shall not eat any of their flesh nor touch their
carcasses. (Deuteronomy 14:8)

http://godandscience.org/apologetics/khirbet_qeiyafa.html
Last Modified June 1, 2012